Study: Porn Stars Aren’t “Damaged” by Their ProfessionA report finds adult actresses are happier than the rest of us -- and that being naked might lead to self-esteem.
November 28, 2012 |

A common stereotype of a female porn star is an insecure, sexually abused, mentally ill and/or drug-addled woman. It’s one supported by anecdotes (most memorably by Linda Lovelace’s harrowing autobiography) and rhetoric (the feminist scholar Catharine MacKinnon went so far as to claim that all porn actresses were sexually abused as children). But as for actual research? Eh, not so much.

Now, a new study claims to have debunked this truism, which is known as the “damaged goods hypothesis.”

Some performers were amused by the news. “As a happy, healthy female porn performer, my reaction is: thanks, science, thanks so much for proving I am real,” says writer and porn performer Lorelei Lee in an email.

On a similar note, porn actress Dylan Ryan tells me, “It’s about time that research catches up to the realities for a great many women who perform in porn,” she says in an email. “It’s important to me as a performer that the conversation evolve and develop to make space for the (as in any community and population) diversity of experiences, personalities and lifestyles of porn performers.”

Adult actress and director Kimberly Kane took a different tack. “I’ve found that everyone is damaged no matter what line of work they’re in,” she says.

Researchers compared self-reports from a group of nearly 200 porn actresses to those of women outside the industry who were similar in age, ethnicity and marital status. Not only did the report show no higher incidence of child sexual abuse or psychological problems among female performers, but it actually found that pornsters had higher levels of self-esteem and sexual satisfaction....

I watched some of the AVN awards late last year. They were doing their version of "The Red Carpet". I figured there would at least be one or two people who seemed somewhat normal, but no. Every chick was way out there, and the dudes were just flat creepy. That is one f-d up industry, I don't care what anyone says.

The thing I don't understand is, if some of these men and women get into porn because they think there isn't a better option, i.e. post secondary education. Then once they've "made it" in the industry go back to school and get a freaking degree so they aren't doing that crap in their 40s and 50s. Geeeez.

The thing I don't understand is, if some of these men and women get into porn because they think there isn't a better option, i.e. post secondary education. Then once they've "made it" in the industry go back to school and get a freaking degree so they aren't doing that crap in their 40s and 50s. Geeeez.

What are you not down with the GILFs? That's age discrimination I tell you!

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"Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t*rd by the clean end"

They start making MILF and cougar themed movies or they get their vagina reconstructed and marry some old rich guy and attempt to **** him to death. Eventually they'll get to appear on an episode of Dave's Old Porn. Finally, they retire to Florida where they become the biggest whore at the retirement home.

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.